Madman of the People

1 9 9 4 – 1 9 9 5 (USA)
16 x 30 minute episodes

This generation gap comedy from NBC starred Jack “Madman” Buckner (Dabney Coleman), an old-school New York columnist who spoke his mind, hated authority, made lots of enemies, and didn’t sweat the little details.

He used his “Madman of the People” column in Your Times magazine as his principal soapbox.

His young editor boss, Meg (Cynthia Gibb) however, had different ideas about running the magazine and had no intention of putting up with what she saw as Jack’s outdated attitude. To make matters worse, she was Jack’s daughter.

Also around the office were ambitious investigative reporter BJ Cooper (Craig Bierko) who had eyes for Meg, and Sasha Danziger (Amy Aquino), whose constant optimism irritated Jack.

At home, irresponsible, 24-year-old son Dylan (John Ales) provided further irritation (“he has a sofa attached to his butt!” fumed Jack), while his schoolteacher wife Delia (Concetta Tomei) mediated as necessary.

Although sandwiched on Thursday nights between Seinfeld and ER – two of the hottest shows at the time – Madman of the People did not perform as expected and NBC shut down production after 16 of the 19 episodes it originally ordered.

Jack ‘Madman’ Buckner
Dabney Coleman
Meg Buckner
Cynthia Gibb
BJ Cooper
Craig Bierko
Dylan Buckner
John Ales
Delia Buckner
Concetta Tomei
Sasha Danziger
Amy Aquino
Steven Spielberg
Jeff Maynard